Our attention has been drawn to a news publication by Sahara reporters, an online news outlet using our name EDO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS and logo to publish an article to mislead the general public, claiming it was from Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

First, we want to state it clearly that Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) is a coalition of various affiliate organizations and community base formations. It is totally different and distinct from Edo State Civil Society Organizations and talakawa parliament and Kola Edokpayi. As a coalition, we are formally registered with the appropriate government agency in tandem with our operations.

Inasmush as we condemn in totality the harassment, intimidation, and unlawful arrest and illegal detention of citizens by the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies and the alleged illegal arrest and detention of one Mr. Emmanuel Aigbogun who they have said is been detained by the Nigeria Police Force some weeks now, we are also aware that the Nigeria Police Force have also came out to debunk the information in a publication dated 20th October, 2023 with reference number – CZ: 5300/ZN.5/DFA/ZPPRO/Vol1./199.

The statement states inter alia: that the said suspect is not in their custody and that the said Mr. Emmanuel Aigbogun have been charged to court after investigation and it is at the discretion of the court to grant him bail.

We want to state it clearly for the general public and other various news outlets, that the logo and brand of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) is only for the leadership and members of the coalition and anybody found misleading the public or found using our brand without the authorization from the coalition will be dealt with according to the laws.

We are also using this medium to call on Sahara Reporters to tender an apology for using our name and logo to mislead the public, as the publication by Sahara Reporters was never issued by Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) nor approval sought by anyone on behalf of the coalition. Sahara Reporters is thereby advised to be more professional in publishing news with verifiable facts and ensure it takes fact-check seriously going forward.

Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)

MASSES HOUSE: 6B, Obakhavbaye Street Opposite Spirit And Life Bible Church Off Oba Market Road
Benin city,
Edo state,
Nigeria.

Website: www.edocso.org

Email: Info@edocso.org

Twitter : @Alutaedocso

FACEBOOK: Edo Civil Society Organisations

08118013331